ITANAGAR, Feb 24: The Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA), in collaboration with the Solidarity and Action against the HIV Infection in India (SAATHI) and the All Manipur Nubi Maanbi Association (AMANA) of Manipur organised a day-long Inter departmental workshop at its conference hall here on Saturday.
The workshop was held against the backdrop of the Supreme Court Judgement passed in the case of NALSA Vs Union of India and Others, wherein the Supreme Court had given recognition to the third gender community as a distinct section like male, female genders and their entitlement to all facilities as available to every citizen of India.
Santa Khurai, a transgender and social activist, informed the gathering that her organisation AMANA is state level body of six CBOs who are working in different districts of Manipur since 2008 with its work spread in Meghalaya and Nagaland.
She narrated her struggles of being a member of the transgender community in Manipur and encouraged members of the Arunachal community to speak up and demand for their legitimate dues as provided by the government.
She also informed how AMANA helps transgender people earn livelihoods by opening beauty parlours for them.
Biswa Bhusan Pattanaik of SAATHI of Orissa in his presentation highlighted the issues of the transgender community with regards to the physical and emotional issues faced by them as members of the community.
He also highlighted the role to be played by various state governments and social stakeholders in facilitating access to public utilities and other social benefits.
The government departments’ representatives also assured their commitment for their welfare.
Yupia District & Sessions Judge, Jweplu Chai assured to provide all assistance from the legal services authority for seeking their rights.
APSLSA member secretary Budi Habung dwelt on various issues of the transgender community and the facilities available to provide access to justice to its members.
He further advised the community to open up and partake in all social activities as other citizens.
Later, there was an intense discussion on the entire gamut of issues and the way forward.
Twelve members of the transgender community here, SP SS Kalsi, State Authority OSD Dani Belo, besides members from AMANA, the APWWS, officials of the WCD and Labour departments, and legal aids counsels of the legal services authority attended the programme, among others.
